Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized a foreign pistol, seven bullets and a large quantity of foreign cigarettes during a special operation at Majhipara in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati.
BGB said the Marissha Battalion (27 BGB) received information that a consignment of Yaba and foreign cigarettes would be smuggled into Bangladesh through the Majhipara area along the border road on Thursday night.
Following the tip-off, a BGB team, led by Battalion Commander Lt Col Zahidul Islam Zahid and Assistant Director Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, conducted a special operation in the 16-kilometre area of the border road.
Around 10:15pm, BGB personnel challenged two unidentified individuals carrying bags in the area. However, the suspects fled into the nearby hills, leaving the bags behind.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an abandoned 7.62mm Chinese pistol, seven rounds of live ammunition and 10 cartons of foreign-brand Patron cigarettes.
Lt Col Zahid said BGB has been conducting regular intelligence surveillance and patrols to curb smuggling along the border. "Although smugglers continue to adopt different tactics, BGB remains vigilant and is carrying out its duties with professionalism to prevent such activities," he said.
He added that intelligence gathering and anti-smuggling operations along the border will be further strengthened.
